Five Commonly Missed Areas for Sunscreen Protection

June 11, 2008

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Also, people need to pay special attention to their lips. You need a lip balm or lip gloss with SPF. Clear-colored lip gloss contains mineral oil, which intensifies the effects of the sun. So, if you're going to wear it, at least put some SPF underneath.

The reason lips are a problem is that non-melanoma skin cancers that develop on the lower lip can be more serious than when they occur on other parts of the face or body. They also have a higher rate of spreading.

Sun Protection Gadgets

At least 70 percent of your exposure is unintentional and is just what you get while running errands or doing chores. So, try UV shields for your car and home windows.

Also, try a melanoma bracelet. It costs about $5, and it changes color in the sun. It's like a little string around your finger -- on a sunny day, you feel hot, so you remember to reapply. But on a cloudy day, you're getting 80 percent of the sun's efficiency. A melanoma bracelet can remind you that you need to reapply every two hours.

Finally, there are some great clothes that protect you from the sun.

Three brands: Coolibar, Columbia, and Sun Busters have special weaves, and are treated with UV-absorbing chemicals, such as titanium dioxide. To be considered sun-protective, such clothing must have an ultraviolet protection of more than 30 and retain its sun-protective qualities after numerous washings and exposure to sunlight.

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